Nigeria’s U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets have not come as far as the quarter-finals of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations to be dumped out of the competition without earning a World Cup ticket, says Head Coach Nduka Ugbade.

The Golden Eaglets and their officials arrived in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria on Monday, three days ahead of their quarter-final clash with Burkina Faso’s Young Etalons at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

“We had an interesting match with South Africa and it has prepared us well for further challenges in the competition. We learnt a lot playing Zambia, Morocco and South Africa – all strong teams – in the group phase and that was good furnace for us to be a better squad.

“The quarter-final matches will be very hard nuts to crack because that is the step that earns you the World Cup ticket. None of the four games will be easy. Our interest is Burkina Faso and we are working hard towards achieving success.”

Burkina Faso had an interesting last match of the group phase, coming from behind to defeat and dump out Cup holders Cameroon 2-1 in a truly fascinating encounter.

Nigeria also came from behind twice to edge South Africa 3-2 in a memorable encounter in Constantine, with the five goals scored by different players on the night.

Ugbade added: “We have not come this far to drop out. My boys are focused hard on the World Cup ticket. After that, we can then focus on other objectives.”

The match between Nigeria and Burkina Faso begins at 8pm on Thursday.

Victory over the Young Etalons will earn Nigeria the opportunity to go for a record-extending sixth FIFA U17 World Cup title.

Throughout the years, the UFC has had several fantastic athletes, but Alex Pereira undoubtedly is one of the most captivating to watch. The former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion from Brazil is renowned for his devastating power and aggressive fighting style.

However, his recent loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 has raised questions about his future in the UFC middleweight division. In recent remarks on Alex “Poatan ”Pereira’s future in the UFC, UFC President Dana White said that he anticipates the fighter to go to the light heavyweight class.

White’s comments came after Pereira’s unsuccessful weight cut for UFC 287, where he missed weight by two pounds and lost to Adesanya in a second-round knockout. “I think that Pereira probably moves to 205 after this fight,” White said. “He’s a monster.”

Pereira has always been a big middleweight, and his move up to light heavyweight could be a game-changer for his career. He previously struggled with weight loss to 185 pounds, therefore an increase to 205 pounds may be the solution to his problems.

Teixeira, the coach of Poatan, has also suggested that Pereira may go up to the light heavyweight class in the future, which might result in some intriguing contests. The move to light heavyweight could also give Pereira a chance to avenge his loss to Adesanya. The two fighters have a history in kickboxing, with Pereira defeating Adesanya twice before their UFC 287 matchup.

However, Adesanya was able to counter Pereira’s aggressive style in the Octagon, leading to the second-round knockout. Adesanya has also made comments about Pereira’s future in the UFC, urging him to move up to light heavyweight and cause some problems in that division.

Former champions Enyimba FC of Aba and Plateau United of Jos will create fireworks at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in their Round of 32 match of this year’s Federation Cup men’s competition on Wednesday.

The People’s Elephant squeezed through to this stage after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Rivers United FC in Uyo, and now have to confront an ambitious Plateau United looking to march all the way to the grand finale.

At the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja, multi-titlists Rangers International of Enugu will do battle with Kano Pillars, while the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano plays host to the potentially-explosive encounter between Mighty Jets of Jos and Gombe United FC.

A total of 16 matches will be disputed in the men’s category, all scheduled for Wednesday, while seven matches will be played in the women’s competition with Bayelsa Queens having reached the last eight without kicking a ball, following the unfortunate accident involving opponents Dannaz Ladies.

In Lokoja, Nasarawa Amazons – one of the establishment – will clash with Naija Ratels of FCT in a match slated for Thursday as the six other matches in the women’s competition.

FC Robo Queens of Lagos will make it a date with Royal Queens of Delta State in Awka while Rivers Angels are up against Osun Babes in Warri.  

Flying Eagles after their first training session in Buenos Aires

Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso and his assistants on Monday evening drilled Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles in their first training session since arriving the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires on Sunday.

The session which took place at the team’s Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts lasted for 90 minutes, and concentrated on recovery after the long trip from Nigeria to the South American nation through Turkey.

The team had another training session on Tuesday, as focus gradually shifts to a friendly match against the U20 team of Colombia which has been scheduled for the Tristan Suarez Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, 16 May at 4pm Argentina time (8pm Nigeria time).

Colombia, who play in Group C of the FIFA U20 World Cup alongside African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel, will seek the opportunity to have an idea of what to expect against the Cub Lions of the Teranga when both teams clash in La Plata on Saturday, 27 May. 

Incidentally, Nigeria will also be utilising the friendly with Colombia to have an idea of what to expect when they take on another South American team, Brazil also in La Plata on the same day, 27 May. In fact, the Nigeria/Brazil match comes up just before the Senegal/Colombia clash inside the same arena.

Bosso and wards will fly from Buenos Aires to Mendoza – venue of Nigeria’s first two matches against the Dominican Republic and Italy – on Wednesday, 17 May.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face Colombia in a friendly in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, May 16.

The friendly was arranged to prepare the team for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be staged in Argentina.

The Flying Eagles, according to reports, will take on a local side in Argentina this week before the friendly against the Colombians.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is also working on a proposal to engage Israel in another friendly before the start of the World Cup

Ladan Bosso’s side arrived Argentina for a 10-day camping programme on Sunday.

The West Africans will face five-time champions, Brazil, European giants, Italy and debutants Dominican Republic in Group D at the World Cup.

Argentina will host the 2023 World Cup from May 20 to June 11.

Nigeria’s quarter finals foes, Burkina Faso, has said their target remains the elusive FIFA Under-17 World Cup and nothing more.

Burkina Faso’s head coach Brahima Traore said after booking the quarter finals ticket that their primary target remains clinching a ticket to the FIFA World Cup, and this will require them to beat Nigeria, who they face in the quarter finals next Thursday in Algiers.

“We had two objectives in this tournament; first to get to the semi-finals and then to fight for the title. We will prepare well for Nigeria to enable us get to the semis and earn the World Cup ticket,” noted the tactician.

Burkina Faso now move from Annaba to Algiers, where they are scheduled to play the Golden Eaglets next Thursday.

He however lauded the team’s resilience as they earned a place in the quarter finals of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a 2-1 win over Cameroon on Sunday.
They trailed 1-0 against the defending champions after 61 minutes, but scored two goals within two minutes in the final quarter of an hour to earn an automatic slot in the last eight.

“When we conceded the first goal, we just changed our system and tactics to be more attacking. We put pressure on them and scored the two goals. We worked hard and had a good fighting spirit. We went 1-0 down but never gave up. We had confidence in ourselves and I am happy with the desire shown by the players,” said the coach.